Monday, November 17, 2008

Donnie The Doberman Dog Genius

My mom was telling me about this amazing Doberman that she saw on the Discovery Channel the other day. I was in shock when i saw the video!! It was seriously so cool....
Donnie is a five year old rescued Doberman.

No one knew anything about Donnie's past except for the fact that he was found living on the street eating out of the garbage can. After his new owner adopted him It took Donnie several months to get used to doorways and going up and down the stairs. After about six months he got accustomed to his new home, and even let his new owner put her arm around him without getting scared.

Donnie's owner was very, very good to him and bought him tons of stuffed animals to play with. Soon after she noticed that Donnie started arranging his toys in patterns in their big backyard - triangles, circles, parallel lines…. and in many cases grouping them together - all frogs, all monkeys, etc.... Either all of the toys were face up in the arrangements, or all face down. He would even go as far as making sure they were touching or holding hands in a lot of his designs.

Here Donnie arranged his animals to make a perfect triangle!



And this is what Donnie did the day after he let his owner put her arm around him for the 1st time since adopting him!



Donnie's owner knew there was something to all of this so she contacted many doctors.. Finally, Barbara Smuts, a psychology professor at the University of Michigan who studies social behavior in canines listened. Of course Dr. Smuts assumed that the owner was either helping Donnie or was crazy. Smuts finally flew out to see Donnie and at first couldn’t believe her eyes, especially after setting up hidden cameras and watching from indoors so as not to cause any distraction.

Still think it sounds a little crazy - take a look for yourself!! It's pretty interesting! Donnie is sooo cute!! I am so happy he's found a good home!





10 comments:

Mamarazzi said...

i've seen this before and thought it was REALLY odd. i am glad he found a happy home with this woman who finds him extraordinary!

Anonymous said...

This is so cool!

EP said...

Wow! That's crazy!

amanda said...

I've seen this! Ha.
And I couldn't believe
it. How nuts, huh?

But I love it!

Mommy Mechanics said...

Crazy! I've never heard of this. Just shows how much we underestimate animals.

Anna said...

Wow, that is crazy!!

Matt said...

Maybe that dog is planning something.

Something heroic.

Something spectacular.

Something. Epic.

Auburn Kat said...

What a cute dog!

Missy said...

wow - my dog was dumb. He could have never figured out anything like this! lol!

BTW, I left you some bloggy love...

Sarah Elizabeth said...

Donnie is too cute! That reminds me of a lion story I once saw...I might have to post about it!